Roy Madden Spring Round-Up Rodeo: Held annually in June, celebrating local Western heritage and open-format rodeo competition.
Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo: Held during Labor Day Weekend at Nichols Park, bringing top PRCA/WPRA cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation to Henryetta.
For up-to-date schedules, event details, and online ticket purchases, visit the official Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo Facebook Page or purchase your tickets directly at RodeoTicket.com.
Shop Local for Your Rodeo Gear!
Heading to the rodeo? Be sure to explore historic downtown Henryetta and support our local businesses! From authentic Western wear and boots to unique accessories and rodeo gear, our local shops have everything you need to gear up for the big event.
Take time to stroll Main Street, enjoy local dining, and experience the warm community hospitality that makes Henryetta special!
Henryetta Rodeo History and Facts
Henryetta has a rich cowboy history that is celebrated twice a year with the annual Jim Shoulders Spring Roundup Rodeo and the Living Legends Rodeo. Both are held at the historic FFFCU Jim Shoulders Living Legends Arena in Nichols Park.
Features: FREE Parking | New Bleachers
Hundreds of people turn out each year for the two rodeos that pay homage to Jim Shoulders, America's five-time All-Around World Champion. Both rodeos draw top cowboys and cowgirls from around the nation to compete in events ranging from bronc riding and barrel racing to bull riding and calf roping.
Henryetta has long held a proud place in Western heritage, earns its distinction as a true hub for championship rodeo culture, rough-stock breeding, and community tradition in Okmulgee County.
Roy Madden & Local Tradition: The annual spring event is officially named the Roy Madden Spring Round-Up Rodeo in honor of beloved local cowboy Roy Madden, celebrating Henryetta's grassroots ranching roots alongside the professional circuit.
The "Rodeo Capital" Legacy: Henryetta earned the nickname "Rodeo Capital of the World" due to the high concentration of world-class rough-stock riders, stock contractors, and championship rodeo training schools based out of local ranches.
Stock Contracting Hub: Ranches surrounding Henryetta have historically served as premier breeding grounds for championship bucking bulls and broncs supplied to major rodeo events nationwide.
Nichols Park Rodeo Arena: First constructed between 1938 and 1941, the arena at Nichols Park was expanded and modernized over the years to accommodate full PRCA/WPRA-sanctioned equipment, bucking chutes, and upgraded bleachers.
Jim Shoulders – Henryetta’s Legendary Rodeo Champion
Jim Shoulders, widely celebrated as the “Babe Ruth of Rodeo,” stands as one of the most accomplished cowboys in the history of the sport—and proudly called Henryetta, Oklahoma his home.
Born in 1928, Shoulders rose to national fame through extraordinary talent, grit, and determination. Over the course of his career, he earned an unmatched 16 World Championships, including titles in bull riding, bareback bronc riding, and the coveted All‑Around Cowboy category. His dominance throughout the 1950s helped shape modern professional rodeo and set standards still admired today.
After retiring from competition, Jim Shoulders chose Henryetta as the place to build his ranch, raise his family, and invest in the future of rodeo. From his Henryetta ranch, he operated one of the country’s first rough‑stock rodeo schools and raised world‑class bucking bulls—including the legendary Tornado. His commitment to the sport and to the community made him a beloved local figure and an ambassador for Henryetta across the nation.
Jim Shoulders passed away in 2007, but his legacy continues to live on. Henryetta honors him not only as a world champion, but as a neighbor, mentor, and hometown hero whose impact still inspires generations of cowboys and cowgirls.
The Henryetta Chamber of Commece proudly features an extensive collection of rodeo memorabilia generously donated by the family of world‑renowned champion Jim Shoulders. Visitors are invited to stop by during Chamber office hours to explore this unique display and take a closer look into the life and legacy of Henryetta’s own World‑Famous Cowboy.
(918)652-3331
415 West Main Street
Tuesday-Friday 12pm-5pm
Join us during Labor Day weekend for the Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo, a proud Henryetta tradition since 1993. As you enter the rodeo grounds, you’ll be greeted by the Jim Shoulders Monument, standing proudly at the Nichols Park gates in honor of Henryetta’s world‑famous cowboy.
